How to Tell If You Need a Breast Lift

A breast lift can allow women to wear stylish clothing and bathing suits with more confidence. It’s a popular procedure after pregnancy and breastfeeding, or when aging or weight fluctuations cause a woman’s breasts to sag. A breast lift can also change the shape and projection of breasts that have been droopy or uneven since puberty.

Signs a Breast Lift Might Help You

How can you tell if you need a breast lift? Here a few crucial signs.

  • Your breasts sag or have lost their youthful shape. There is no “perfect” breast shape or size — only the one that makes you feel confident about your own appearance. If it bothers you that your breasts have changed with age or after childbearing or weight loss, that subjective sense of dissatisfaction is a reason to consider a breast lift.
  • Your breasts have a flattened, elongated shape or are pendulous. If you’re unhappy about the shape and projection of your breasts, a breast lift may be the solution. One way to see if a breast lift might help is to do the “pencil test.” Place a pencil in the fold under your breast. If your breast holds it in place or you have to lift your breast significantly to place it there, a breast lift is likely to help.
  • Your nipples and areolas point down, rather than forward or up. As the skin on the breast stretches with age or with volume changes, the weight of the breast tends to pull the nipple and areola downward. A breast lift corrects this by tightening loose skin and repositioning breast tissue so the nipples point forward.
  • Your nipples now sit below the crease under your breast. Even if they don’t point downward, age and weight changes can cause the breasts to sag so that your nipples are no longer in the center of your breasts, but below their lower crease. You can test this by placing a sheet of paper underneath your breast so it rests in the breast crease. Looking in the mirror, does your nipple fall below the top edge of the paper? If it does, you have enough sagging to warrant a breast lift.
  • The skin on your breasts has stretched or your areolas have become enlarged. With childbearing, breastfeeding, or significant weight changes, the skin on the breasts can sag and the areolas can grow. A breast lift removes excess skin and can reduce the size of the areolas.
  • One breast sits lower than the other. Another goal of a breast lift may to make the breasts more symmetrical, both in their position on the chest and in their shape.

Other Considerations

The best candidates for any plastic surgery procedure are in good health and close to their ideal weight. If you are planning to have children soon, it may be best to delay a breast lift, as pregnancy and breastfeeding can change the shape and size of your breasts.

It’s important to note that breast lift surgery will not change the size of your breasts. If you feel that your breasts are too small, you might consult with your plastic surgeon about combining a breast lift with breast augmentation. If your breasts are too large, you might consider a breast lift in combination with breast reduction.

Learn More in an Expert Consultation

Dr. Stephen Bresnick in Encino, CA, is one of the most sought-after and extensively trained plastic surgeons in the Los Angeles area. He is known for his compassionate approach and superior artistry. Call us at (818) 981-3333 or contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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